CITY OF MALOLOS (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bulacan conducts pilot launch of its Gabay sa Barangay: Enterprise Development Program in the villages of Dulong Malabon, Lumbac, and Tibag in Pulilan; and Balayong, Caniogan, and San Vicente in Malolos City.
Gabay sa Barangay’s main objective is to capacitate the barangay officials, especially the Barangay Development Councils to aid local businesses in their area towards sustainable business development.
DTI Region 3 Officer-in-Charge Assistant Regional Director and concurrent Bulacan Provincial Director Edna Dizon said for this year, they are targeting 20 barangays covering all congressional districts.
Aside from the six pilot barangays, the program will also be launched in Barangays Laoc and Taboc in Angat town; and Calantipay, Catulinan and Matangtubig in the City of Baliwag.
Other barangays for follow-up and scheduled for site visitation are Caypian and Tambubong in San Rafael; Buliran and Sibul in San Miguel; Pagasa and Tawiran in Obando; San Francisco, Bulakan; and two barangays in City of San Jose del Monte to be identified.
The program will develop the potentials of the barangay by capacitating its officials and volunteers on investment and entrepreneurship; providing them with a series of business-related training and workshops and other services based on the support needed.
It also intends for barangay officials to become future coaches and mentors allowing them to guide the development of local businesses operating in their areas.
Dizon added that the program has three salient features including assessment and strategic planning to determine the strength and key areas of the enrolled barangay; provision of training and workshops to barangay officials, volunteers, and micro-entrepreneurs; and consultancy services from the partner agencies and offices.
In 2022, DTI piloted Gabay sa Barangay in Brgy. Catanghalan, Obando; and Longos, City of Malolos to provide training to local business owners and potential entrepreneurs from skills training to entrepreneurial mind-setting.
The program is in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Bulacan Provincial Government. (MJSC/VFC-PIA 3)